Tompkins County Chamber announces 2018 on-the-job training grants are available

ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce again plans to offer on-the-job (OJT) training grants to businesses and nonprofit organizations in Tompkins County.

It’s the sixth year that the Tompkins County Chamber will have funding from the New York State Department of Labor to provide the grants, the organization said in a news release.

Training grants of between $3,000 and $4,000 will be available to businesses and organizations that are either hiring a new employee or promoting a current worker to a new position.

Recipients use the grants as a reimbursement for 50 percent of the new or promoted employee’s wages over an eight-to-12-week training period.

“We’re very excited to have $117,500 in OJT grant funding to disperse again this year, to support Tompkins County businesses and non-profit organizations in hiring individuals who have great attributes but not all of the skills needed when hired,” Jennifer Tavares, president of the Tompkins County Chamber, said. “This important program will support our local employers in solving one of their most significant challenges: recruiting and retaining a highly skilled, qualified workforce.”

Marilyn Mazza will again serve as the OJT coordinator this year, the chamber said.

Since 2006, the Tompkins County Chamber has distributed more than $700,000 in on-the-job training grant dollars to the Tompkins County community.

In previous years, the chamber has provided training resources, support, and funding to more than 80 local businesses and organizations. The recipients are part of industries that include health care, banking, human services, education, green energy, manufacturing, and marketing.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com